Daily Covid cases hit record high globally
More than 893,000 cases were reported on Friday across the world, according to a count by AFP
A daily record of more than 893,000 Covid-19 cases has been recorded worldwide, mainly due to a surge of the virus in India, according to an AFP count on Saturday.
The total for cases recorded throughout Friday is based on official figures at 3:30pm IST on Saturday. The previous daily high was some 819,000 cases on January 8. More than a third of the infections occurred in India, which announced 332,730 new cases on Friday and another 346,786 on Saturday, also a record for a single country since the start of the pandemic.
Other countries trailing India with the most new infections are the US (490,000 cases in one week), Brazil (459,000) and Turkey (404,000).
Nepal royals hospitalised
Nepal’s former King Gyanendra Shah, Queen Komal Shah and their daughter Prerana Shah have been admitted to Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu at around 1pm local time on Saturday, days after testing positive for Covid-19. “As per the doctors involved in their treatment, condition of the trio is stable and normal,” the hospital said. The former royals tested positive for the virus on April 20 soon after their return from India after participating in the Maha Kumbh at Haridwar.
NZ pauses travel bubble
New Zealand on Friday paused arrivals from Western Australia, temporarily excluding the state’s travellers from a quarantine-free bubble between the countries due to a Covid-19 outbreak.
US resumes J&J vaccine
Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccinations can restart, US health regulators said on Friday, after the shots’ rollout was paused due to worries over blood clotting. “We have concluded that the known and potential benefits of the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older,” said Janet Woodcock, head of Food and Drug Administration in a joint statement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pfizer to update jab
US pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer is planning a new version of its coronavirus vaccine that can be stored in a standard freezer and comes diluted and ready for use, its CEO told AFP on Friday.
The current version must be stored at minus 70°C.